10/1/2016: Get Your Class Ready for Election Season!

Are you talking with your students about voting in this election year?  It is never too early to get the conversation started!  PBS has a great guide to talking about the election

The Spirit of America - Volume 1 is a great collection of my Level D - I readers that have patriotic themes!  Students will read about topics such as voting, Veterans Day, our flag, the United States Constitution, the Liberty Bell, and much more while learning new vocabulary and improving their reading comprehension.

Wonderful to use as your classroom studies about our country, historic holidays, and famous Americans. The collection makes it easy to combine reading, writing, and social studies.

4/11/2016: Happy Birthday Thomas Jefferson!

Are you and your class ready to wish a “Happy Birthday” to Thomas Jefferson?

Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, was born on April 13th, 1743.  He was an important Founding Father, and the main author of the Declaration of Independence.  The Monticello Classroom has some great resources for kids and educators on their website.

My original reader The Founding Fathers is another great resource for your students to learn about Thomas Jefferson and some of his Founding Father peers.  Your class can learn more about some of America’s other fascinating Founding Fathers in my third grade level O reader Ben Franklin - A Man with an Electric Personality my first-grade Level G reader Ben Franklin, my second grade Level L reader John Hancock and a Study of Pronouns.  Your students will learn more about The Liberty Bell, and The United States Flag in my set of leveled books Social Studies Topics - Leveled Books: First Grade Levels H/I

3/24/2016: Women's History Month

As we enter into the end of March, I hope that you are enjoying studying some fascinating women with your class during Women’s History Month.  

My collection of leveled readers, "Famous Women in History" is an excellent way to build literacy skills while learning more about Women’s History.  This collection of leveled readers for second through fourth grade features stories about eight women and their contributions to history.  This series includes books on eight notable American women, including Clara Barton, Helen Keller,Eleanor Roosevelt and Sojourner Truth, among others.

Explore all of them on my Teachers Pay Teachers site:

Amelia Earhart -- Airplane Pilot (level L)

Abigail Adams -- First Lady & Crusader for People’s Rights (level L)

Clara Barton -- Founder of the American Red Cross (level N)

Maria Mitchell -- Astronomer (level N)

Helen Keller -- Inspirational Speaker (level O)

Ellen Ochoa -- Astronaut (level P)

Laura Ingalls Wilder -- Pioneer and Author (level P)

Millie Hughes-Fulford -- Scientist in Space (level R)

2/26/2016: Lewis and Clark

Are your students drawn to exciting true stories of explorers?  My reader The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Level T Reader is a great book for combining social studies with reading and language arts!

From this fifth-grade Level T reader, students will learn about the explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark who traveled through the western U.S. all the way to the Pacific Ocean to map the new lands of the Louisiana Purchase.

This reader "The Lewis and Clark Expedition" is included in a collection of other Level T readers - Level T - Set 1. That set includes 10 books:

- What are the Chances?;

- The Colonial Period;

- The Lewis and Clark Expedition;

- Delta, Canyon, Sand Dunes – Impact of Weathering and Erosion;

- I Pledge Allegiance;

- Lady Liberty Welcomes All;

- A Series of Firsts – The 2008 Presidential Elections;

- Cesar Chavez – “Si Se Puede” (“Yes, it can be done”);

- Name Your Sources;

- 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – Washington, D.C. – The White House

Find these books, and more, at my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

2/23/2015:Orville and Wilbur Wright - Free Spirits

I wrote recently about some of my original books on inventors.  If you are looking for other inventor options, check out my original reader Orville and Wilbur Wright - Free Spirits.  

In this Level T reader your students will learn facts about Orville and Wilbur Wright, who were early pioneers of flight, and their invention of a flying machine.

This is a great resource to combine social studies and language arts.  The book comes with 5 companion worksheets which reinforce literacy skills involving reading, language, spelling, and writing. Specific concepts, skills, and vocabulary targeted in this 5th grade Level T reader are listed on the first page of the story.

This story is one of the books in the collection of Level T - Set 2 readers. The ten books in that collection are:

- Alternative Energy Sources – Wind, Solar, Geothermal, and Hydroelectric Power;

- John Deere – An Improved Plow;

- Founding of St. Augustine, 1565;

- Orville and Wilbur Wright – Free Spirits;

- Fun with Words – Simile, Metaphor, and Onomatopoeia;

- The Greatness of the Plains;

- Causes and Effects of the French and Indian War;

- Sedimentary Rock, Fossils, and Fossil Fuels;

- The Manifest Destiny;

- Metric Conversions.

Find these books, and more, at my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

9/16/2015: Prepare for National Fossil Day on October 14th, 2015!

Are you ready to celebrate National Fossil Day on October 14th, 2015?  National Fossil Day was begun in 2010 by the National Parks Service to raise awareness of paleontology.  Today, National Fossil Day continues to be organized by the National Park Service as a celebration “to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, as well as to foster a greater appreciation of their scientific and educational values.”  The National Fossil Day website has a number of great resources, including a kid’s site and information on their annual National Fossil Day Art and Photography Contest.  

Fossils can be a fun  way to engage your students with science.  My Fourth Grade Leveled Books: Level Q - Set 2 consists of 7 books, including “Fossils and Paleontologists”  Each book comes with accompanying worksheets which reinforce literacy skills involving reading, language, spelling, and writing. Specific concepts, skills, and vocabulary targeted in each book are listed on the first page of each story.

9/9/2015: Get Ready to wish "The Star-Spangled Banner" Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to the American national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner!”

During the War of 1812, on September 13–14, 1814 Francis Scott Key watched Fort McHenry being bombed by the British forces in the Battle of Baltimore.  In the morning, Key could see that the American flag was still flown over Fort McHenry, showing that the Americans had not lost possession of it. The inspired Key’s to write a poem, which became “The Star-Spangled Banner”  

Learn more about Francis Scott Key with your class with my book  Francis Scott Key and The Star-Spangled Banner: First Grade - Level I Reader.  

This first grade Level I reader gives students the interesting background of the United States national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner".   Francis Scott Key and the American Flag are also featured in my First Grade Level I – Set 2 book set.  

My  five-page Level O reader The Founding Fathers is a wonderful resource to bring information about life in the American colonies about the founders of the United States into your classroom.  The book comes with three accompanying worksheets to help reinforce literacy skills involving reading comprehension, language, spelling, and writing.   

Your class can learn more about some of America’s other important Founding Fathers in my third grade level O reader Ben Franklin - A Man with an Electric Personality

my first-grade Level G reader Ben Franklin, my second grade Level L reader John Hancock and a Study of Pronouns.  Your students will learn more about The Liberty Bell, and The United States Flag in my set of leveled books Social Studies Topics - Leveled Books: First Grade Levels H/I

8/5/2015: Nelson Mandela and the Dream of Freedom

On August 5, 1962 anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested by South African police. In October of that year he tried and sentenced to five years in prison. While Mandela was still serving this prison sentence, in 1964, he was placed on trial for sabotage, high treason and conspiracy to overthrow the government and sentenced to life in prison.

Mandela was released on February 11, 1990,after 27 years in prison. In 1993 he received the Nobel Peace Prize along with South Africa's President F.W. de Klerk for their efforts to peacefully end apartheid in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was elected the president of South Africa in 1994.  He is held in deep respect throughout South Africa where he is often referred to as “the father of the nation”. He is also honored throughout the world for his lessons of patience, love, and tolerance. 

Learn more about this remarkable activist and politician with my original readers Nelson Mandela's Dream of Freedom (for 1st- 4th grades) and Nelson Mandela: Father of South Africa (for 3rd-6th grades)

8/1/2015: Happy Birthday to Francis Scott Key!

Happy Birthday to Francis Scott Key!

The author of the “Star-Spangled Banner” was born in Frederick County, Maryland in 1779.  During the War of 1812, on September 13–14, 1814 he watched Fort McHenry being bombed by the British forces in the Battle of Baltimore.  In the morning, Key could see that the American flag was still flown over Fort McHenry, showing that the Americans had not lost possession of it. The inspired Key’s to write a poem, which became “The Star-Spangled Banner”   

My first grade Level I reader  Francis Scott Key and The Star-Spangled Banner: First Grade - Level I Reader gives students the interesting background of the United States national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner".   Francis Scott Key and the American Flag are also featured in my First Grade Level I – Set 2 book set.

7/20/2015: Moon Day

On July 20, 1969, the first humans, Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, landed on the moon as part of the Apollo 11 space mission.  July 20 is now celebrated as “Moon Day” in honor of this historic event.  

My Fifth Grade Leveled Books: Level U - Set 1 includes a Neil Armstrong biography.  These leveled books cover all CCSS.ELA – Literacy Standards: Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas and Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity (RI.5.1 – 5.10).

Kids (and many adults) are fascinated by astronauts and outer space.  My third grade Level N reader Our Planets is a great way to harness this enthusiasm for space, and combine facts about the planets in our solar system with reading, and writing activities in your classroom

The book comes with five accompanying worksheets which reinforce literacy skills involving reading, language, spelling, and writing.

7/14/2015: Happy Bastille Day!

July 4 has come and gone, and now it is time to celebrate France’s national holiday, Bastille Day!  Bastille Day is France’s Independence Day,  it celebrates the storming of the Bastille, a famous prison, during the French Revolution in 1789.  The revolution led to the dissolution of the French monarchy and to the beginning of a representative government.  Holidays can be a fun way to explore other countries and their cultures with your class.  Holidays can also be a good segway to some basic geography.  

Do you study geography with your class?  My book original book Directions - First Grade Level I Reader is great for social studies or geography unit! This book is also included in First Grade Leveled Books: Level I – Set 1.  My first grade Level C reader “A Map and a Globe” is also dedicated to geography.  it can be found in Social Studies Topics – Levels C – E. For higher grade level, the story “Finding the Mississippi – Using a Map and Globe” is included in my third grade level N – Set 1

6/30/2015- Happy (Almost) Fourth of July!

I hope that you all will be celebrating a happy and safe Fourth of July this weekend!  

This time of year it is especially fun and festive to learn more about the American national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  

My first grade Level I reader  Francis Scott Key and The Star-Spangled Banner: First Grade - Level I Reader gives students the interesting background of the United States national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner".   Francis Scott Key and the American Flag are also featured in my First Grade Level I – Set 2 book set.  

My  five-page Level O reader The Founding Fathers is a wonderful resource to bring information about life in the American colonies about the founders of the United States into your classroom.  The book comes with three accompanying worksheets to help reinforce literacy skills involving reading comprehension, language, spelling, and writing.   

Your class can learn more about some of America’s other important Founding Fathers in my third grade level O reader Ben Franklin - A Man with an Electric Personality

my first-grade Level G reader Ben Franklin, my second grade Level L reader John Hancock and a Study of Pronouns.  Your students will learn more about The Liberty Bell, and The United States Flag in my set of leveled books Social Studies Topics - Leveled Books: First Grade Levels H/I

6/23/2015: It is Almost Time to Celebrate Independence Day!

We are now officially into summer, and well into the month of June! Flag Day and Juneteenth, have past, soon it will be time to celebrate the Fourth of July!

This is a great time to study some important figures from the early history of the United States, such as the Founding Fathers.

My  five-page Level O reader The Founding Fathers is a wonderful resource to bring information about life in the American colonies about the founders of the United States into your classroom.  The book comes with three accompanying worksheets to help reinforce literacy skills involving reading comprehension, language, spelling, and writing.   

Francis Scott Key is another significant figure from the early history of our country. During the War of 1812, on September 13–14, 1814, Francis Scott Key  watched Fort McHenry being bombed by the British forces in the Battle of Baltimore.  In the morning, Key could see that the American flag was still flown over Fort McHenry, showing that the Americans had not lost possession of it. This inspired Key to write a poem, which became “The Star-Spangled Banner”  Learn more about Francis Scott Key with your class with my book  Francis Scott Key and The Star-Spangled Banner: First Grade - Level I Reader.  

This first grade Level I reader gives students the interesting background of the United States national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner".   Francis Scott Key and the American Flag are also featured in my First Grade Level I – Set 2 book set.  

Your class can learn more about some of America’s other important Founding Fathers in my third grade level O reader Ben Franklin - A Man with an Electric Personality

my first-grade Level G reader Ben Franklin, my second grade Level L reader John Hancock and a Study of Pronouns.  Your students will learn more about The Liberty Bell, and The United States Flag in my set of leveled books Social Studies Topics - Leveled Books: First Grade Levels H/I

6/22/2015: Interesting Inventors

June is a wonderful time to study inventors with your class!  On June 10, 1752 Benjamin Franklin famously flew a kite during a thunderstorm.  When his kite was struck by lightning he collected the charge in a Leyden jar (a vessel for storing static electricity between two electrodes)  This allowed Franklin to demonstrate electricity in lightning.

In Benjamin Franklin, my first-grade Level G reader, students will learn about this famous American  statesman, writer, printer, scientist, and inventor.

My other original books on inventors include my first-grade level F reader Garrett Morgan: Inventor, Alexander Graham Bell- Inventor of the Telephone, and Robert Fulton - Steamboat Inventor.  

6/11/2015: What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth will soon be here on Friday, June 19th! Learn more about this important American holiday with my 4th grade Level Q reader What is Juneteenth? This reader tells the story of Juneteenth - a day celebrated at the end of the Civil War. From this story, your students will about the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in the U.S.

The book comes with companion worksheets which reinforce literacy skills involving reading, language, spelling and writing. Specific concepts, skills and vocabulary targeted in the book are listed on the first page of the story.

You can also learn more about Juneteenth and find more free Juneteenth Education resources from the National Juneteenth Observation Foundation